ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (10:33 AM)

The grass is green and the ping of the bats is music to Buzz's ears! College baseball season has begun! Stanford stud John Mayberry will be here at 3:30 ET to take your questions and help celebrate the launch of ESPNU! ESPNU is available on DirecTV Channel 609, or you can call your cable operator and tell them you want ESPNU on your local system.

John Mayberry

  (3:34 PM)

I'm here and ready for your questions.

Quinn Colling, Kansas City Mo

Do you plan on graduationg from college before entering the draft? Would you ever like to play for the Royals like your father?

John Mayberry

  (3:36 PM)

No, I won't be graduated before the draft, but I will be graduated by Christmas of next year. I would absolutely relish playing for the Royals. I grew up there and love the city.

Frank, Rohnert Park, CA

Did you open up your batting stance more this year?

John Mayberry

  (3:37 PM)

No. Actually, it's remained the same. If anything, I've closed it up.

John Willis, TX

hey whats up man how did u feel after texas swept yall and has it deminished any hopes of winning a national championship?

John Mayberry

  (3:38 PM)

Obviously, the sweep was disappointing. But it has not diminished our hopes. It was a close series and came down to a few plays. We hung in there with one of the best teams in the country.

Craig, Palo Alto

John - After the team meeting (after a win), the team usually breaks with "Cardinal," although sometimes it's "Omaha." Does Marquess make this call, or someone on the team?

John Mayberry

  (3:40 PM)

It's usually John Hester, Jed Lowrie, Mark Romanczuk or myself. It's whichever one the player decides.

Sonny (South Bend, Indiana)

Have you ever been to BALCO?

John Mayberry

  (3:40 PM)

No. I've never been to BALCO. I have no idea where it is.

Ian (NY)

How does your team look compared to last year's team?

John Mayberry

  (3:42 PM)

I think that our pitching depth is better. Our Friday and Saturday starters have more experience. Offensively, we are featuring a different look. Last year, everyone could go deep. We manufacture more runs this year. Our style is different.

Joe - Lancaster, PA

I have always been a big fan of Stanford baseball. I was hooked back when they won the College World Series in 1987. What is it like playing for a prestigious program at Stanford? Was Stanford your first choice in colleges?

John Mayberry

  (3:44 PM)

It is an honor to play here. There is a legacy of baseball here. We are expected to win here. Stanford was definitely my first choice because of both the baseball team and the academics.

John (Omaha)

John,Will we be seeing you and the Cardinal in Omaha this year?

John Mayberry

  (3:46 PM)

Hopefully you will. I think with more experience we will have a good shot. And like I said, our pitching is better. Our infield defense is improved, too. We have the tools to make a run.

Pete - Mountain View, CA

JR, how many wins do you think it will take this year to capture the Pac-10 title?

John Mayberry

  (3:47 PM)

I don't know. ASU, USC and Cal are all very good. You don't set a goal for wins, but take them one at a time.

Bill (Seattle)

You were drafted by the Mariners out of high school. Were you ever close to signing with them?

John Mayberry

  (3:48 PM)

I was close. In the end, I got together with my parents and the opportunity to get an education was too good to pass up. Hopefully, I'll have that MLB opportunity soon.

Ilbin (Stillwater)

Who is the toughfest pitcher you've faced in your career

John Mayberry

  (3:49 PM)

We faced Jared Weaver in the regionals last year. He has a hard fastball with a run on it and a good slider. His delivery hid the ball. You don't see a 6-foot-7 pitcher with long hair like that very often.

jon (phoenix)

Please enter your question.what your father doing these days?

John Mayberry

  (3:51 PM)

Mostly, he watches Days of Our Lives. Just kidding. He is involved with the Royals alumni association, fantasy camps and batting lessons. I'm still trying to get him out on the golf course.

Fred (Stanford, CA)

Hey, John. Which guy on the team's girlfriend is the hottest?

John Mayberry

  (3:51 PM)

Naturally, I'll go with mine.

Jordan, PA

Hey John,Great season so far. Hope we can sweep Cal and win some of these one and two game sets. I'm a huge Cardinal fan, but I live in PA. Always have to stay up late to listen to your games and the basketball games. Think the Cardinal will make it to March Madness? Now to baseball what is the funniest thing about playing baseball for the Cardinal? What is the hardest thing? Also what is it that you love about Stanford? Thanks and good luck the rest of the season. Hopefull we are back home in Omaha!

John Mayberry

  (3:54 PM)

I was talking to some folks earlier. We've battled through some adversity and still have a chance. A couple of wins in the Pac-10 tourney would help.

John Mayberry

  (3:54 PM)

Going to Omaha as a freshman was the most fun. Making it to Rosenblatt is what it is all about.

John Mayberry

  (3:55 PM)

I love the people at Stanford. It's a unique and diverse campus. Everyone brings something different to the table.

Sonny (South Bend, Indiana)

Giants or As?

John Mayberry

  (3:57 PM)

My dad didn't play for either team. I follow the players like Bonds and Chavez, but don't follow either team.

Brian (NYC)

Is your home field the best diamond?

John Mayberry

  (3:58 PM)

I definitely think it is. We have a beautiful setting here. Sunken Diamond is the prettiest and nicest place to play.

Craig, Palo Alto

John - do you hear people in the stands rooting for (or against) you before an at-bat, or do you zone everything out?

John Mayberry

  (4:00 PM)

For the most part, I zone it out. But fans are very close at Sunken Diamond and I can hear them -- especially the football players.

John Mayberry

  (4:00 PM)

Thanks for all the questions.

Moderator

  (4:01 PM)

Johns Hopkins lacrosse star Kyle Harrison is up next!